As a personal trainer, it is crucial that you protect yourself against property damage and bodily injury claims with liability insurance. The average cost of defending a liability claim is $35,000†, and that doesn’t include the costs incurred if you’re required to pay damages.
To illustrate this point, take a look at the following examples of real claim cases that personal trainers and their employers have faced.
Evans v. Fitness & Sports Club
A trainer at the fitness club told his 61-year-old client to perform “suicide runs”—an exercise that requires high-intensity sprints, similar to ladders. When the trainer’s client fell and injured her wrists, she filed a suit alleging that the trainer was negligent.
Although the client eventually lost her case, it was still a costly fight in legal fees for the trainer.
Baldi-Perry v. Kiafas and 360 Fitness Center, Inc.
In this case, a woman from Buffalo, NY, hired a personal trainer to help her recover after having an extensive surgery. Even though she had given the trainer a full disclosure of her medical history, the trainer still required her to perform a set of three exercises until she was physically exhausted.
Her injuries did not manifest until later that evening, but because of the training session she sustained several chronic injuries that her doctors claimed may last the rest of her life.
The case went to a jury trial and the trainer and fitness center were ordered to pay $1.4 million.
Family of Anne Marie Capati v. Crunch Fitness‡
In this case, Anne Capati was attending Crunch Fitness and she hired one of their personal trainers. The trainer instructed Capati that she should take some supplements and so she did.
The problem was that Capati was already taking medication prescribed by her doctor to treat other medical problems. The combination of supplements and doctor prescribed medication resulted in the death of Capati and the family sued both her trainer and Crunch Fitness.
Although it took several years for the case to conclude, eventually the family of Capati won the case and was awarded $4 million.
Protect Yourself from Costly Liability Claims
It is plain from these examples that personal trainers need to have insurance that provides protection for both them and their employer. Insurance Canopy provides excellent coverage that allows trainers to protect themselves and their business in the event of a claim. Check out our coverage limits below, or, if you’re ready to buy a policy, click here.
†Hersch, Joni., and W. Kip Viscusi. 2007. Tort Liability Litigation Costs for Commercial Claims. American Law and Economics Review V9 N2(330–369) Available online at https://law.vanderbilt.edu/files/archive/271_Tort-Liability-Litigation-Costs-for-Commercial-Claims.pdf (accessed February 27, 2017).
‡Exercise Standards & Malpractice Reporter; May 2006, Vol. 20 Issue 3, p36
Coverage Details
1 Additional Insured – $15 | Unlimited Additional Insureds – $30
General Liability Limits
The most your policy will pay in a 12 month policy period for bodily injury and property damage claims that you become legally obligated to pay due to your business and professional services.
$3,000,000
The maximum amount your policy will pay in a 12-month period for bodily injury and property damage claims that result from the products you use to perform your services. However, it does not cover your products that are sold or distributed.
$3,000,000
The amount that your policy will pay for claims arising out of one or more of the following offenses:
– False Arrest, detention or imprisonment
– Malicious prosecution
– Wrongful Eviction or Wrongful Entry
– Oral or written publications that slander or libels a person or organization
– Oral or written publication or material that violates a person’s right of privacy
– The use of another’s advertising idea in your advertisement
Included
The maximum the insurance carrier will pay for a bodily injury or property damage claim that you become legally obligated to pay due to your business and professional services.
$2,000,000
Applies to damage by fire to premises rented to the insured and to damage regardless of cause to premises (including contents) occupied by the insured for 7 days or less.
$300,000
A general liability coverage that reimburses others, without regard to the insured’s liability, for medical or funeral expenses incurred by such persons as a result of bodily injury (BI) or death sustained by accident under the conditions specified in the policy.
$5,000
Endorsements and Additional Coverage
Inland marine insurance covers tangible property that is movable or transportable in nature (e.g. supplies, equipment, or inventory) but excludes coverage for structures and items that are part of the structure.
$2,000
An additional cost will be added for this coverage. See the application for additional coverage details for Cyber Liability Insurance.
$100,000
Deductible
$100
All insurance policies have conditions, limitations, and exclusions, please refer to the policy for exact coverages.
